Ten Reasons Why You Should Be a Living Kidney Donor

As of May 2013, there are more than 1,700 individuals on the waiting list for a kidney transplant in the state of Wisconsin and more than 96,000 in the nation, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Why should you be a living kidney donor?

Help someone you love: You will greatly improve their life. Recipients of organs from a living donor have better outcomes for a longer period of time than those who wait for a deceased donor.

Rest easy: You can be assured, living donor outcomes are strong. Living donors go through the donation experience without experiencing any decrease in lifespan and they do not have a higher rate of kidney failure. Donors also have a manageable recovery, and are typically out of work four to six weeks, depending on their profession.

We're thorough: You will get the best physical of your life. All potential living donors are very carefully evaluated to uncover any potential health risk to themselves and their recipient.

No apologies necessary: You have every chance to change your mind or walk away at any point. Our transplant nurses and social workers are trained to work with living donors, and can assist you if you decide you no longer wish to donate.

We've got your back: If you are interested in living donation, talk to the transplant team. Our highly-trained and experienced medical professionals, who work with donors and recipients every day, are the only people who truly know if you are a candidate for living donation.

Stand proud: You will be able to show off your scars, but barely. Most donors have a laparoscopic procedure. This surgical procedure eliminates a large scar and reduces recovery time. Just a few small incisions are made in the abdomen, and a bit larger one is hidden under the bikini line.

Be a hero: You will be giving the greatest gift of all. The gift of life is immeasurable. To your recipient, you will always be a hero.

Make a change: The world needs more living donors. Deceased donation rates continue at about the same pace as in the last 10 years, but the number of people who need a transplant continues to grow. Living donation is the best way to save more lives.

Keep smiling: You should know that most donors express a positive experience. The vast majority of donors state that they would donate again and describe a positive relationship with the recipient.

Save a life, or dozens: You can participate in non-traditional donation. Our program can assist donors and recipients who have different blood types. We also participate in a national kidney registry program that offers expanded opportunities to donate including a kidney exchange with another donor/recipient pair, kidney exchanges involving several transplant centers and the ability to donate a kidney to someone in need, even if you don't know the recipient.